Name: Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-8 oz. each); Salt and pepper (to taste); 1/4 cup flour; 4 tablespoons butter, divided; 3-4 cloves garlic, minced; 4 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup chicken broth (optional); Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (optional)

If you're craving a dish that's buttery, sweet, and just downright comforting, this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. It's quick, flavorful, and perfect for weeknights when you want something delicious without a fuss. Trust me, once you make it, it'll become a go-to!

Honey Garlic Chicken - Several pieces of cooked chicken fillets are in a pan, covered by a shiny brown sauce that looks thick and smooth. The chicken is golden brown and tender with small green onion pieces scattered on top. The sauce pools around the chicken, creating a glossy layer that highlights the texture of the meat underneath. The pan shows some browning marks from cooking. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe has a special place in my kitchen. It’s one of those meals that feels fancy without the hassle. The balance of sweet honey, savory garlic, and rich butter makes every bite so satisfying. I always end up licking my plate – no shame!

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of them in your pantry, making this recipe super accessible.
Quick Prep Time: Ready in just about 15 minutes, perfect for busy days when you crave something homemade.
Flavor-Packed: The combo of honey, garlic, and butter creates that irresistible glaze that sticks to the chicken so well.
Easy to Customize: Whether you want it saucier or with a little kick, there are simple tweaks to make it yours.

Honey Garlic Chicken - The dish shows one thick layer of light golden brown cooked chicken with a shiny, dark brown sauce on top, garnished with thin slices of green onion. The chicken sits on a bed of white rice, which is mixed with bits of the same sauce giving some parts a light brown tint. On the side, there is a small bunch of bright green, fresh green beans. Everything is arranged on a white plate over a white marbled surface, with a silver fork visible at the edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a key role in building that perfect harmony of flavors and textures. When I shop for this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe, I look for fresh, quality basics that will really shine in the final dish.

Honey Garlic Chicken - Flat lay of four raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts with smooth pale pink skin, several cloves of fresh garlic showing their papery white skin and creamy interiors, a small jar of golden honey glistening under the light, bright green fresh parsley leaves with delicate textures, a clear glass bottle of amber soy sauce reflecting light, a halved lemon with vibrant yellow flesh and juicy texture, and a small mound of fine, white all-purpose flour scattered lightly, arranged naturally with some herbs overlapping the chicken pieces, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless make them easy to cook evenly – pounding them thin helps them cook through quickly.
Flour: It’s your secret weapon for a lightly crispy coating that grabs all the buttery sauce.
Butter: Adds richness and helps caramelize the chicken beautifully.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives that robust, aromatic punch you want.
Honey: Sweetness that balances out the salt and acidity perfectly.
Soy sauce: Brings umami depth that layers the flavor instead of making it just sweet.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds a gentle tang to brighten the entire dish.
Chicken broth (optional): Makes the sauce extra saucy if you’re someone who loves dipping!
Fresh parsley or green onions (optional): I love a pop of color and fresh flavor to finish things off.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I always tell friends that recipes are more like guidelines, and this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is no exception. You can easily tweak it to fit your mood or dietary needs, and I love sharing my favorites to get your creativity flowing.

Variation: Sometimes I sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a little heat that contrasts beautifully with the honey's sweetness.
Make it saucier: Adding chicken broth helps if you like a bit more sauce to spoon over rice or mashed potatoes.
Brighten it up: Adding a splash of lemon or lime juice at the end lifts all the flavors, giving it a fresh zing.
For a gluten-free version: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch for dredging – it works just as well!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce Mix

Start by whisking together honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. This combo forms the sweet, tangy glaze that pulls everything together. Having this ready before cooking helps the process flow smoothly, and the flavors meld nicely as the chicken cooks.

Step 2: Pound and Season Your Chicken

I like pounding my chicken breasts to about half an inch thick to ensure they cook evenly and quickly. Then, season both sides generously with salt and pepper. This step may seem simple but it's crucial because seasoning at the start builds that base flavor. After seasoning, dredge each piece in flour, shaking off the excess to avoid clumps.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high in a good skillet. When it’s bubbling, add the chicken and cook on one side for 4-5 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip it and cook another 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on that color because that lovely crispness means the flour coating is working its magic!

Step 4: Add Garlic and Build Flavor

Reduce the heat to medium, add the last tablespoon of butter, then toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds – just until fragrant, no browning yet. This short cooking time keeps your garlic vibrant and aromatic without bitterness.

Step 5: Simmer with Sauce and Finish Cooking

Pour your honey-soy-vinegar sauce into the pan. Let it simmer gently so the sauce thickens and the chicken finishes cooking through – aim for an internal temp of 165ºF to be safe. If you want it saucier, add a splash of chicken broth here. Don’t forget to flip the chicken so it gets coated evenly in that glossy glaze.

Top Tip

From experience, a few simple tweaks make all the difference when cooking this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe. These tips ensure great texture and balanced flavor every time.

Pound it even: Flattening your chicken breasts to the same thickness makes sure they cook perfectly without drying out.
Don't overcrowd the pan: Cooking in batches if needed keeps that crisp sear instead of steaming your chicken.
Fresh garlic only: Using fresh minced garlic over powder gives the sauce that bold, fresh aroma.
Simmer, don’t boil: Gently simmering lets the sauce thicken and coat the chicken without turning bitter or burning the honey.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Honey Garlic Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping the finished dish with freshly chopped parsley or sliced green onions. They add a fresh, vibrant touch that cuts through the richness and makes the plate look inviting. Plus, they add a nice little texture contrast!

Side Dishes

This chicken is heaven served alongside fluffy white rice or velvety mashed potatoes – those sauces just soak in perfectly. Steamed green beans or a crisp salad are great for balancing the meal with some freshness and crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I've served this honey garlic butter chicken sliced thin over a bed of creamy polenta or buttered noodles, garnished with edible flowers or microgreens. It’s a simple way to elevate presentation without complicating prep.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld beautifully overnight, so it tastes even better the next day.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well if you want to prep in advance. Wrap the cooked chicken tightly and store in freezer-safe bags. When thawed, it may lose a bit of crispness but the sauce keeps it moist and flavorful.

Reheating

I recommend reheating gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. This helps keep the chicken tender and the sauce glossy instead of drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work beautifully with this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe. They’ll stay juicy and tender and give a slightly richer flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they’re cooked through.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165ºF. If you don’t have one, cut into the thickest part—you want the juices to run clear and no pink inside.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch for dredging the chicken. The texture might be a bit different, but the flavor stays just as amazing.

How can I make the sauce thicker or thinner?

Simmer the sauce a bit longer to thicken it up, or add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it if you prefer it saucier. Adjust as you like while cooking to get your perfect consistency.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe feels like a warm hug from the kitchen every time I make it. It’s simple yet packed with layers of flavor that almost everyone I share it with falls in love with. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s quickly become one of those “must-have” dinners in my meal rotation, and I’m sure it will be in yours too.